Reloading 45 Colt

[Sputnik]

Trailboss is good. Titegroup works pretty well, too for light-ish loads.

[elmontemike]

I'm a fan of Hodgdon Clays.

4.6 gn w/ 250 gn LRNFP

[sghart]

For social work in my 45 Colt I turn to 2400.

But when I want to plink I load the same 255 gr RNFP cast bullet over 6.5 gr of Bullseye. It is easier on my old wrists and my grandkids like it also.


Steve in N CA

[JagerDog]

I started with unique behind a 255 gr lead bullet in new model vaqueros. 8 grs of U was relatively mild. At 9 grs it was a handful and not too pleasant. Also noticed a lot of unburned powder granules blown out regardless of charge wt.

I "graduated" to 13 grs of AA#7, which was a higher pressure load, but because #7 is a slower burn, the recoil impulse was noticeably milder and easily managed. Shoots like a laser and no unburnt powder blowing out the barrel.

Found the #7 load data in the Lee manual "Ruger and Thompson Only" section.

The Vaqueros aren't rated for the "Ruger only" loads.

[sofbak]

^^^ No Ruger made gun is rated for "higher than SAAMI spec" loads. ....

[at_liberty]

The Vaqueros aren't rated for the "Ruger only" loads.

But they are available in 45 ACP at 23K psi max, which says something about the gun's capabilities above SAMMI spec. It is the Redhawks that are needed for the 30k psi max loads. I just shot my 5.5" barrel 45 Colt Redhawk yesterday with 22 grains of IMR4227 and a 250 grain bullet seated deeply and over the leading band (no crimp groove) (compressed). It wasn't that dramatic nor unpleasant, but it is significant that the throats were relieved on that gun, bringing pressure down from the former drama.

[at_liberty]

^^^ No Ruger made gun is rated for "higher than SAAMI spec" loads. ....

Correct, but they are well known to be capable of it. It depends how you want to interpret "rated" and how well a loader is informed about the cartridge and the guns.

[sofbak]

^^^All correct. And the new model vaq also comes in .357 mag on the same frame.

That AA#7 load I mentioned comes in about 19.5ksi-well within the capability of the gun.

I painstakingly verified this both analytically and empirically.

[at_liberty]

^^^All correct. And the new model vaq also comes in .357 mag on the same frame.

That AA#7 load I mentioned comes in about 19.5ksi-well within the capability of the gun.

I painstakingly verified this both analytically and empirically.

The 357 Magnum models do not provide the same testimony for 45 Colt strength, since the cylinder walls are thicker. 45ACP is the direct comparison.

[sef]

For plinking and grand kids I load 5.5 - 6.0 gr. 700x with any cast bullet from 200 - 255 gr. Chrono runs about 750fps and recoil is mild.This is the same load used in my 44mag as well.

Good Luck.

[sofbak]

The 357 Magnum models do not provide the same testimony for 45 Colt strength, since the cylinder walls are thicker. 45ACP is the direct comparison.

Yes but....IIRC Ruger issued a statement shortly after the NMV came out saying that becuase the frame was smaller than other ruger wheel guns, it wouldn't bear heavier-than-saami-spec loads. And .357 mag puts more stress on the frame when fired.....

But whatever. The NVM is certainly strong enough for what appears to be called "Tier 2" colt loads. I wouldn't try the 30-35ksi loads in it though.....

[at_liberty]

Yes but....IIRC Ruger issued a statement shortly after the NMV came out saying that becuase the frame was smaller than other ruger wheel guns, it wouldn't bear heavier-than-saami-spec loads. And .357 mag puts more stress on the frame when fired.....

But whatever. The NVM is certainly strong enough for what appears to be called "Tier 2" colt loads. I wouldn't try the 30-35ksi loads in it though.....

[McGuiver]

Reloading 45 Colt

I like Accurate #5 powder behind a 255 gr SWC bullet. Good shooting, and accurate.



Accurate 5744 powder is also a good shooting load over 255 gr bullet.



I have also tried True Blue powder by Accurate, but it barely fills the bottom of the case, so overcharges could be an issue. The True Blue powder is the smallest grain size I have ever seen in a smokeless powder. Its fineness is like worn out glass bead blasting material. Super fine and my auto trickler hates it.

Here is an article on True Blue Powder. Shooting at night there was no visible blast out of the muzzle. Super low flash.

http://blog.westernpowders.com/2014/12/one-powder-for-all-handgun-loads/

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Whiterabbit]

The Vaqueros aren't rated for the "Ruger only" loads.

The medium frame vaqueros are not built to handle ruger only loads. For that matter, neither are the medium frame blackhawks.

The large frame blackhawks and large frame vaqueros are equally as strong when it comes to eating a diet of ruger-only loads.

Know your frame sizes and serial numbers.

[JagerDog]

The medium frame vaqueros are not built to handle ruger only loads. For that matter, neither are the medium frame blackhawks.

The large frame blackhawks and large frame vaqueros are equally as strong when it comes to eating a diet of ruger-only loads.

Know your frame sizes and serial numbers.

TMK all the "new model" Vaqueros are the medium frame.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-NewVaquero.htm